Born: 24/4/81 Nationality: American Seeded: 26 World ranking: 31 Wimbledon best: 3rd round (2002) Recent record: 2003: N/A 2002: 3rd round 2001: N/A

And if he is to make his mark there is no better place for the serve-volleyer to do it than Wimbledon.

However, after a sensational 2003 when he won three titles and shot up the rankings, the American has struggled to build on that success this season.

He did not enjoy the best of times on the clay this year and will need to up his game after a disappointing Queen's where he lost in the first round.

The muscular Dent began last season by picking up his first ATP title in Memphis and looked a dangerous proposition heading into Wimbledon.

But he picked up a pinched nerve in his right wrist during his first-round match and did not play again before the US Open, where he got to the fourth round before his chances of further progress were wrecked by a hamstring injury.

He returned later in September to pick up two more titles and improve his year-end ranking for the sixth straight season.

The son of Australian Davis Cup stalwart Phil Dent, the 22-year-old has elected to play for the country of his birth and put paid to reports that he may represent Australia when he made his Davis Cup debut for America in February last year.

Dent first played Wimbledon in 2000 but has yet to progress beyond the third round despite a booming serve and powerful attacking game that should see him prosper on grass before too long - injuries permitting.